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BGU Confers Honorary Doctorate on Baltimore Philanthropist Toby Mower
Toby Mower receives honorary doctoral degree from Prof. Rivka Carmi
BEER-SHEVA, ISRAEL, May 18, 2010 – Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) awarded a prestigious honorary doctoral degree to philanthropist, retired registered nurse and clinical psychologist, and longtime substance abuse treatment advocate Toby Mower in a ceremony at the University on May 11.
Toby Mower is the founder and a board member of Baltimore's Jewish Recovery Houses (JRH), whose mission is to assist Jewish men and women in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. JRH provides safe, welcoming and compassionate sober living facilities and an environment where the residents can develop the skills they need to live a productive life free from the ravages of addiction.
Toby and her husband Morton have funded several important programs at BGU, including the Toby Mower Nursing Skills Laboratory and the Dr. Morton and Toby Mower Chair in Shock-Wave Studies. They have also provided numerous scholarships in the areas of high-tech and nursing. Both are members of BGU's international board of governors and the prestigious Ben-Gurion Society.
Toby is a distinguished member of the Baltimore Jewish community, presently sitting on the national and local boards of the Jewish National Fund, as well as the boards of Hadassah of Greater Baltimore, the local chapter of the American Technion Society and the Baltimore Zionist District. In the past, she has served on the board of The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore, Beth Am Synagogue and was president and board member of the Sinai Hospital Nurses Alumnae Association.
"I am absolutely thrilled and honored because I love BGU," she said as she accepted the degree. "Academically, I believe that Ben-Gurion University is one in which state-of-the-art research is done. I am hopeful that research regarding substance abuse and chemical addiction will be pursued by BGU in the near future. I don't believe there is one among us who has not been affected by this, either through family or friends."
Toby first learned of BGU when she was invited to an AABGU parlor meeting, and an intern at John Hopkins Hospital who was living with her told Toby that she was a BGU student and would love to go to the meeting. There, the student gave a passionate and enthusiastic talk about the University. It was at this point that the Mowers began contributing and working with BGU. Toby is also impressed by the University's cooperation with the Jewish National Fund, where she is an advisor to the president and World Chairman's Council member.
In presenting the honorary degree, Prof. Rivka Carmi, president of BGU said, “It’s an honor to recognize someone who has such a sense of commitment and faith in humanity, who has dedicated her life to helping and supporting others and is a partner in the community-oriented spirit of Beer-Sheva.”
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev plays a vital role in sustaining David Ben-Gurion's vision, creating a world-class institution of education and research in the Israeli desert, nurturing the Negev community and sharing the University's expertise locally and around the globe. With some 20,000 students on campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sede Boqer and Eilat in Israel’s southern desert, BGU is a university with a conscience, where the highest academic standards are integrated with community involvement, committed to sustainable development of the Negev.
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Media Contact: |
Andrew Lavin |
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